Frances Stewart has been involved with Voices from Inside since 2001, when she first learned about VFI when she was incarcerated. After she got out of jail, she attended the volunteer training to become a writing group facilitator. She currently facilitates workshops at the Western Mass Regional Women's Correctional Center in Chicopee, the After Incarceration Support Services and The Western Massachusetts Recovery and Wellness Center in Springfield. She says that she got so much out of the writing workshops that she wanted to return to the jail to offer these workshops so that other incarcerated women, could benefit from them too.Frances also noted that her favorite thing about the writing workshops is how at the beginning of a workshop series, there are women attending who don't even want to speak, but by the end of the workshops, these same women are willing to read their writing aloud to the rest of the room. Most importantly, she feels like she has a community with the women inside the facilities where she leads the workshops.When asked about what inspires her to write, Frances answered that she actually majored in English and that her father was a novelist as well - the writing workshops, it seems, are her opportunity to explore that creative side again. After 30 years of struggling with drug addiction, Frances is also proud to say that she has been clean for two years now, in part thanks to the writing workshops. She is hopeful and excited to see her 11-year-old granddaughter grow up as she enjoys time with her family free of addiction.

My name is Christina Ruest (Hall). I currently live in Springfield & I work at Friends of the Homeless. I have been involved with Voices from Inside in many different ways for many years. I currently attend the writing group at AISS and I am on the Board of Directors.

I first became involved with VFI when I was incarcerated. The year is a little fuzzy but I believe it was 2003. I heard that there was a creative writing group that I could sign up for and writing had always been something that I loved to do. I also had a lot of time on my hands and absolutely nothing else to do.

My favorite part of being involved with VFI is watching one of the women share their poetry in the community for the first time. I love the support that the ladies give one another. The honesty and openness that each of the women have when sharing their voice is inspiring.

When I first found VFI I was in a very low place in my life and I know that I would not be where I am now if it wasn't for this program. I had zero self-confidence and zero self-worth. It took me weeks to even be able to read in front of the group. I always believed that no one would ever want to hear what I have to say. All of the women that I have met on my journey with VFI have helped me to believe in myself.

Over time, I began to believe in myself and have confidence. Without that, I would have never been able to go back to school and earn my Bachelor's degree. Without VFI, I would have never been able to stand up in front of people, speak up, and share my voice

VFI IN THE News

An excerpt from Voices Carry's performance at Forbes Library is available for viewing on Youtube, here.

VFI writer Daisy Diaz read a poem to open Hampshire Art Museum's exhibition "Made in America: Unfree Labor in an Age of Mass Incarceration." The exhibit runs through March 10. Check out photos in the February 7 post, to the left.

Mission:Through creative writing and public readings, Voices from Inside empowers women who have been incarcerated to make changes in their lives and to engage positively with the communities to which they return.